Saban Films Acquires U.S., Canadian Rights to "The Ambush"
- Details
- Category: Entertainment News
- Published on Thursday, 25 August 2022 18:28
- Written by A&E Contributing Editor
Saban Films announced they have secured the U.S. and Canadian rights to AGC International and Image Nation Abu Dhabi's The Ambush. The film, directed by Pierre Morel (Taken), was initially released in the UAE on November 2021.
The Ambush was released across 185 screens and is officially the highest-grossing Arabic-language film ever in the country. This marks the company's first non-English language film acquisition. Saban Films is planning an October 28, 2022, theatrical release and November 1, 2022, on demand and on digital.
American Film Institute Announces Partnership with Telluride Film Festival
Starring an all-Emirati lead cast, including Omar Bin Haider, Marwan Abdulla Saleh, Mohammed Ahmed, Mansoor Alfeeli, and Khalifa Albahri, The Ambush follows the story of three UAE soldiers desperately awaiting salvation when their armored vehicle is attacked by heavy enemy gunfire and becomes trapped in a remote canyon. Their only hope is a daring rescue mission plotted by their courageous commander.
The Ambush (aka Al Kameen) was written by Brandon Birtell (Furious 7) and Kurtis Birtell (Medal of Honour) in close consultation with the soldiers involved in the real-life 2018 incident that inspired the plot. The film is produced by Derek Dauchy (Roman J Israel, Esq., Victor Frankenstein) and Jennifer Roth (Black Swan). Stuart Ford and Jérôme Lateur serve as Executive Producers. The deal was negotiated by Bill Bromiley for Saban Films and Stuart Ford on behalf of AGC Studios.
"As more and more embrace international content, we're thrilled to bring Pierre Morel's incredible film to a wider audience," said Bill Bromiley, President, Saban Films. "As Saban's first foreign language film, The Ambush, a story about unwavering resilience, will continue to inspire audiences around the world."
"The Wednesday Killer," from Haute-Lifestyle.com Publisher, Janet Walker, Wins a Total of Seven Best Screenplay Awards
Saban Films recently acquired: Jason Momoa's The Last Manhunt; American Murderer starring Tom Pelphrey, Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel And Jacki Weaver; Ana Lily Amirpour's Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon starring Kate Hudson and Jun Jong-Seo; Shane Dax Taylor's action flick Best Man starring Dolph Lundgren and Luke Wilson; Brett Donowho's western The Old Way starring Nicolas Cage; Adam Sigal's reincarnation dark comedy Chariot with John Malkovich; and Butcher's Crossing starring Nicolas Cage which will make its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival next month.
About Saban Films
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group ("SCG"), is a film acquisition and distribution company that has continued to grow its presence in the industry, expanding into the production space. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on commercial, high-quality, talent driven films, boarding projects at all stages of production and through release across multiple platforms in North America, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy.
The American French Film Festival Announces the Documentary Line Up
The venture also recently solidified its place as a major global distributor with partnership deals with numerous territories, including Austria, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, Ireland, Benelux, and Switzerland. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as President, and Shanan Becker, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.
Saban Films' successes have run the gamut from theatrical triumphs such as the horror reboot Wrong Turn starring Charlotte Vega and Matthew Modine and Josh Duhamel's Buddy Games, to acclaimed films such as Brad Furman's City of Lies starring Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker and Ian Nelms and Eshom Nelms' Fatman with Mel Gibson. Saban Films is a major force in the eventized theatrical space, being behind the biggest Fathom events with horror icon and heavy metal mastermind Rob Zombie's 3 From Hell and Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.
About Image Nation Abu Dhabi
Image Nation Abu Dhabi is an award-winning film and entertainment company which has built its reputation on breaking boundaries and unleashing imagination. It creates films, TV series, documentaries, and entertainment for consumers throughout the world and is the first UAE company to have multiple productions stream globally on Netflix. Its success spans the globe, screening content at over 400 international film festivals and receiving the industry's highest honors, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and an Emmy.
Black Bear Announces Launch of UK Distribution Business, Sets International Leadership Team
Image Nation has a strong track record of producing high-quality productions through a combination of local talent and international expertise. The company encourages original thought and curiosity while providing a platform for inspiration and practical training through its robust development program, Arab Film Studio. Its mission is to help build the film and entertainment industry across the GCC and MENA regions, a pioneering ambition in line with Abu Dhabi's vision to shape a competitive, sustainable, and globally open economy. Image Nation enables all those who engage with it to become guardians of culture and ambassadors of change.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi is part of ADQ, one of the region's largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi's non-oil economy.
About AGC Studios
Since its launch in 2018 Stuart Ford's AGC Studios has enjoyed explosive growth and is already well established as one of the most prolific and diversified independent content companies in the industry. AGC has 27 major film and television productions to date covering non-fiction, unscripted and scripted projects, working with major partners around the globe including Amazon, Viacom, HBO MAX, Fox, Netflix, Sky, Leonine, EPIX, SKY, Lionsgate, and Canal+.
AGC has over 100 film and TV projects in post-production, pre-production, and development. Currently in post-production are Pierre Morel's action comedy FREELANCE staring John Cena, Alison Brie and Juan Pablo Raba; Christian Ditter's family comedy THE PRESENT starring Isla Fisher and Greg Kinnear; Numa Perrier's THE PERFECT FIND starring Gabrielle Union and Gina Torres for Netflix; Chris Pine's directorial debut POOLMAN starring Pine, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh and DeWanda Wise; and Christopher Smith's supernatural thriller CONSECRATION starring Jena Malone and Danny Huston. In pre-production is Richard Linklater's HITMAN starring Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, and THE DATING GAME starring Anna Kendrick. Completed films include Roland Emmerich's MOONFALL and its predecessor MIDWAY; Neil Burger's VOYAGERS; Tate Taylor's BREAKING NEWS IN YUBA COUNTY; and Doug Liman's LOCKED DOWN.
AGC Television's Emmy® nominated THE TINDER SWINDLER is Netflix's most watched documentary ever and topped the Netflix list of its most popular films worldwide.
